Everyone yearns for their work to be honoured: Rishi Kapoor

By HT

Rishi Kapoor, actor and nephew of Shashi Kapoor, is ecstatic that his uncle has been chosen for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award this year.

"We are delighted that the government has honoured a Kapoor for the third time. First my grandfather (Prithviraj Kapoor), then my father (Raj Kapoor) and now my uncle is getting this honour. Der aaye par durust aye (better late than never). Everybody yearns for their work to be honoured," says Rishi.

Counting his uncle’s several feats, the 62-year-old adds that it was the senior Kapoor who championed the cause of niche movies back in the day.

"Films like NH10, Badlapur, etc — he made those kind of films 30 years ago when the ‘masala’ genre was popular. He, too, would work in potboilers, make money and then invest in good cinema like 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) and Utsav (1984)," says Rishi, adding, "He also gave a platform to young actors and directors through Prithvi Theatre in Juhu. Today, there is so much theatre happening in this country."